Non-corrosive oven degreaser concentrate

Abstract

The invention relates to a non-corrosive degreasing concentrate and ready to use formulation. In particular, non-corrosive compositions capable of removing polymerized grease as effectively as some alkali metal hydroxide (i.e. caustic) based degreasers without requiring the use of personal protective equipment are disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A non-corrosive degreaser composition for removing polymerized fat soil comprising:
 (i) about 1 wt-% to about 50 wt-% of triethanolamine, and optionally monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, or a combination thereof;   (ii) about 1 wt-% to about 80 wt-% of at least one surfactant;   (iii) about 1 wt-% to about 20 wt-% of benzyl alcohol; and   (iv) about 0.01 wt-% to about 10 wt-% of one or more additives comprising a dye, fragrance, corrosion inhibitor, enzyme, thickener, polymer, clay silicate, additional surfactant, chelating agent, or a combination thereof;   wherein the composition generates a use solution having a pH less than about 12.   
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a sulfate, linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, sulfonic acid, or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an alkyl polyglycoside, alkyl polyglucoside, amine oxide, alcohol ethoxylate, alkyl phenol ethoxylates, alcohol alkoxylate, polyethylene glycol ester, polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide block copolymer, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more additives comprises a chelating agent; and wherein the chelating agent comprises an organic acid. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is emulsified to form a use solution or diluted to a use solution having the pH of 11.5 or less. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the alkaline source does not contain sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is used to remove a polymerized fat soil from a soiled surface. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is applied to the soiled surface to be cleaned for an amount of time from about one second to about 24 hours depending on the level of polymerization in order to substantially penetrate a polymerized fat soil. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 29 , wherein the penetration of the polymerized fat soil occurs without requiring mechanical force. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the polymerized fat soil comprises a polymerized zero trans-fat soil, a polymerized grease soil, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is non-corrosive to aluminum. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein the composition is compatible with catalytic converter substrate surfaces. 
     
     
         34 . A method for removing a polymerized fat soil comprising: contacting the composition of  claim 21  with a surface soiled with a polymerized fat soil. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the soiled surface comprises processing equipment. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the soiled surface is an environmental surface. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the soiled surface is a wall, floor, dish, flatware, pot, pan, oven, fryer, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the composition is applied to the soiled surface for between about one second to about 24 hours. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising a step of forming a use solution. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the use solution is formed by emulsifying the composition or diluting the composition.